Ox Looking Forward To Facing the Toulouse Challenge Upfront 

 

The Hollywoodbets Sharks need to beat the visiting Stade Toulousain on Saturday at 17:15 (SA Time) to keep their Champions Cup hopes alive.

Nche said that Toulouse made a flying start to their title defence beating Ulster 61-21 at home before beating 64-21 at Exeter and will be one of the most exciting games the Sharks play this year.

“Toulouse showed their class and quality. They’re bringing a full-strength team to South Africa, so it’s going to be exciting."

“In the Top 14 it is all about the scrum and Toulouse has a very strong pack. They are probably the best in France when on form. They have a system that works for them and they work well together. It’s going to be a good challenge for us, and I am looking forward to it.”

"I enjoy testing myself against the best in the world and not many teams come close to Toulouse in terms of how they play. I think it will be one of the most exciting games we play this year.”

A lot of attention was given to the return of the French hero Antoine du Pont to South Africa.

Containing du Pont has become a lot tougher since the EPCR announced the introduction of the four law amendments. One law increased the protection of the "attacking" scrumhalf by making it illegal to play the scrumhalf within a metre of the tackle, ruck or maul, and also dictates that the tunnel of the scrum is now the offside line for the opposition scrumhalf in a set scrum.

Nche said the Sharks won’t be caught off-guard by the new law amendments.

“It will be a more free-flowing game and he will have a bit more time and safety around the ruck."

“We have to be prepared for it, and we need to do what we need to do, like set early. It is something we have been practising so we don’t get caught with our pants down. He is a special player who is a big part of how Toulouse plays. We will do our analysis on him to see how we can neutralise him.”